10 things you need to know about Ben Whishaw

August 6, 2014

We bring you the facts about the star of LILTING…

LILTING, a heart-warming story of finding a common understanding, is released in Irish cinemas this week, so we decided to gather together some facts about Ben Whishaw, the star of the film, and the latest actor to play Q in the James Bond franchise…

1. Marmalade SandwichesEarlier this month, it was announced that Whishaw has replaced Colin Firth as the voice of Paddington Bear in the film to be released later this year.

2. Double TakeBen has a twin brother named James

3. ReunitedBen Whishaw and Daniel Craig worked together on three films before SKYFALL; LAYER CAKE, ENDURING LOVE and THE TRENCH.

4. Youthful GeniusWhishaw’s portrayal of Q means that he is the fourth actor to play the character, and the first to be younger than the actor who played James Bond. This was done intentionally, since modern day Q would most likely be a young technical whiz.

5. Here I AmAlthough Whishaw starred in the Bob Dylan film I’M NOT THERE, his incarnation of the character never sings. Ben did sing, however, on the soundtrack for THE TEMPEST.

6. The Show Must Go OnLast year, Queen guitarist Brian May announced that Whishaw was cast in the role of Freddie Mercury, in a film about the singer’s life. However, it seems as though the film has been struck with development issues; with Whishaw telling Time Out London “It was going, then there were problems getting the script working.”

7. PrivacyAlthough Whishaw is notoriously secretive about his personal life, a representative for Whishaw confirmed that he entered into a civil partnership with Australian composer Mark Bradshaw in August 2012.

8. Reunited… AgainBen Whishaw has worked with director Tom Tykwer on two occasions; first in PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDERER, then again on CLOUD ATLAS, which Tykwer co-directed with the Wachowskis.

9. Doctor BenBen Whishaw had one of the many cameos in Terry Gilliam’s THE ZERO THEOREM. Whishaw played ‘Doctor 3′, and is almost as unrecognisable in the role as Tilda Swinton is in hers.

10. Future PlansWhile the Freddie Mercury biopic is on hold for now, Whishaw has several projects in the works, including Sarah Gavron’s SUFFRAGETTE, which also stars Brendan Gleeson, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep.